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Laura and Steven Monks, both 35, from Hyde, had to abandon plans to save for their dream wedding after the groom was diagnosed with terminal cancer have married thanks to the kindness of strangers.

Thanks to the kindness of strangers and the charity "Gift of a Wedding", the couple, who have a two-year-old daughter, tied the knot on Friday in a wedding that was planned in just two months.

Laura said: “Saying the vows was quite difficult, but we didn’t have many tears. It was an amazing day.

“Like most of the nice things we now do as a family, they are bittersweet.

Laura had contacted Manchester-based charity Gift Of a Wedding after a Macmillan nurse recommended it to her. The charity helped her find a wedding dress, which was donated to her by a bridal shop, and the photographer, Rolls Royce driver, DJ and singer all provided their services free of charge after hearing their story.

The couple were friends for ten years before they got together and got engaged three months after their two-year-old daughter Lydia was born.

Steven was first diagnosed with bowel and liver cancer in October last year and had an emergency operation and chemotherapy was started immediately. Unfortunately, after attempting to operate, doctors found the cancer had spread and Steven had developed up to 14 more tumours.

“The most important thing to us is spending time with our daughter - we hope she will have some memories, she’s nearly three.”

The couple tied the knot in city centre hotel The Place before jetting off to Venice.